Sunday, October 27, 2013

THE FIGHT

Time with Jesus - 28 Oct 2013

Hi all,
The following was written by Dr AW Tozer in the 1940’s or 1950’s. His assessment, no, doubt was true in those days. Has anything changed since then? His writing referred specifically to the evangelicals churches of his day. Today ±75 years later, the Charismatic churches are, generally speaking, just the same!
It is a basic doctrine of the New Testament that, after His resurrection, the Man Jesus was declared by God to be both Lord and Christ; and that He was invested by the Father with absolute Lordship over the church, which is His Body. All authority is His in heaven and in earth. In His own proper time He will exert it to the full. Presently He allows this authority to be challenged or ignored. Now it is being challenged by the world and ignored by the church.
The Pillow Fight
The present position of Christ in the gospel churches may be likened to that of a king in a limited, constitutional monarchy. The king, in such a country, is no more than a traditional rallying point, a pleasant symbol of unity and loyalty much like a flag or a national anthem.
Among gospel churches, Christ is now in fact little more than a beloved symbol. In the week-by-week services of the church and the day-by-day conduct of her members, someone else, not Christ, makes the decisions. 
Under proper circumstances, Christ is allowed to say "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden" or "Let not your heart be troubled," but when the speech is finished someone else takes over. Those in actual authority decide the moral standards of the church, as well as all objectives and all methods employed to achieve them.

Not only does Christ have little or no authority; His influence also is becoming less and less. I would not say that He has none. Only that it is small and diminishing. A fair parallel would be the influence of Abraham Lincoln over the American people today. After we have gotten control over our tender emotions what have we left? No more than a good example which, as it recedes into the past, becomes more and more unreal and exercises less and less real influence. Every scoundrel is ready to wrap Lincoln's long black coat around him.

The Lordship of Jesus is not quite forgotten among Christians, but it has been relegated to the hymnal. If it is taught as a theory in the classroom, it is rarely applied to practical living. The idea that the Man, Christ Jesus, has absolute and final authority over the whole church is simply not now accepted as true by the rank and file of evangelical Christians.
What we do is this: We accept the Christianity of our group as being identical with that of Christ and His apostles. The beliefs, the practices, the ethics, the activities of our group are equated with the Christianity of the New Testament. Whatever the group thinks or says or does is Scriptural; no questions asked. It is assumed that all our Lord expects of us is that we busy ourselves with the activities of the group!

We evangelicals also know how to avoid the sharp point of obedience by means of fine and intricate explanations. These are tailor-made for the flesh. They excuse disobedience, comfort carnality and make the words of Christ of none effect. And the essence of it all is that Christ simply could not have meant what He said. His teachings are accepted, even theoretically, only after they have been weakened by interpretation.
Yet Christ is consulted by increasing numbers of persons with "problems" and sought after by those who long for peace of mind. He is widely recommended as a kind of spiritual psychiatrist with remarkable powers to straighten people out. He is able to deliver them from their guilt
complexes and to help them to avoid serious psychic traumas by making a smooth and easy adjustment to society and to their own ids. Of course this strange Christ has no relation whatever to the Christ of the New Testament. The true Christ is also Lord, but this accommodating Christ is little more than the servant of the people!
What church board consults our Lord's words to decide matters under discussion? Board meetings are habitually opened with a formal prayer, after that the Head of the Church is respectfully silent while the real rulers take over.
What Sunday school committee goes to the Word for directions? Do not the members invariably assume that they already know what they are supposed to do and that their only problem is to find effective means to get it done? 
Plans, rules, "operations" and new methodological techniques absorb all their time and attention. The prayer before the meeting is for divine help to carry out their plans. Apparently the idea that the Lord might have some instructions for them, never so much as enters their heads.
Who remembers when a conference chairman brought his Bible to the table with him for the purpose of using it? An absolute dichotomy exists between the devotional period and the business session. The first has no relation to the second.
In the conduct of our public worship where is the authority of Christ to be found? 

The truth is that today the Lord rarely controls a service, and the influence He exerts is very small. We sing of Him and preach about Him, but He must not interfere; we worship our way, and it must be right because we have always done it that way, as have the other churches in our group.
The Belt of Truth
What Christian when faced with a moral problem goes straight to the Sermon on the Mount or other New Testament Scripture for the authoritative answer? Who lets the words of Christ be final on giving, birth control, the bringing up of a family, personal habits, tithing, entertainment, buying, selling and other such important matters?

The causes back of the decline in our Lord's authority are many. I name only two. One is the power of custom, precedent and tradition within the older religious groups. Not Christ but custom is lord in this situation.
The second cause is the revival of intellectualism. This is not so much a thirst for learning as a desire for a reputation of being learned. Because of it, good men, who ought to know better, are being put in the position of collaborating with the enemy. I'll explain.

Our faith is being attacked these days from many different directions. In the Western World he comes against us no more with sword and fagot; he now comes smiling, bearing gifts. He raises his eyes to heaven and swears that he too believes in the faith of our fathers, but his real purpose is to destroy that faith so that it is no longer the supernatural thing it once was. 
He comes in the name of philosophy or psychology or anthropology, and with sweet reasonableness, urges us to rethink our historic position, to be less rigid, more tolerant, more broadly understanding.
He speaks in the sacred jargon of the schools, and many of our half-educated evangelicals run to fawn on him. He tosses academic degrees to the scrambling sons of the prophets as Rockefeller used to toss dimes to the children of the peasants. 

The evangelicals, who have been accused of lacking true scholarship, now grab for these status symbols with shining eyes, and when they get them, they are scarcely able to believe their eyes.
For the true Christian the one supreme test for the present soundness and ultimate worth of everything religious must be the place our Lord occupies in it. Is He Lord or symbol? Is He in charge of the project, or merely one of the crew? Is Jesus Christ Lord in this act?
What, then, are we to do? Each one of us must decide, and there are at least three possible choices. One is to rise up in shocked indignation and accuse me of irresponsible reporting. Another is to nod general agreement with what is written here but take comfort in the fact that there are exceptions and we are among the exceptions. 
The other is to go down in meek humility and confess that we have grieved the Spirit and dishonoured our Lord in failing to give Him the place His Father has given Him as Head and Lord of the Church.
Either the first or the second will but confirm the wrong. The third, if carried out to its conclusion, can remove the curse. The decision lies with us.
Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland



Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus
28 Oct 2013
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
©
These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes
©
INTRODUCTION
DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
THE FIGHT
Authority can be a frightening thing. Lord Acton is quoted as having said, “Power Corrupts; Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”. He was not the first person who brought this expression into English. But it is appropriate that it be quoted by an Englishman.
Absolute power was considered the birth-right of most of the monarchs of history. One of the best known is the sad saga of King Henry 8 and the struggle for power after his death. This is not the place to give a history lesson. Sufficient to say that Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England with himself as head. He became anti-Catholic. He had two daughters and a son. Princess Mary was a convinced and fanatical Roman Catholic. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward were in favour of the Church of England. Henry defined the line of succession after his death would be Edward, then Mary then Elizabeth. Edward continued his father’s Church of England reforms. When he died he was succeeded by Mary. Queen Mary, often called Bloody Mary, assumed absolute power and England experienced one of the most violent and bloodthirsty reigns of terror, as she did everything in her power to restore Roman Catholicism to England. Among those who were burned at the stake were Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Bishop Hugh Latimer and Bishop Nicholas Ridley, They are often referred to as the Oxford Martyrs.
Such was the authority of the monarch of the day. We also have a monarch. King Jesus. He also has absolute power and authority. But His power is endless. He has also delegated His power to His people. We have His authority over all the forces of the devil. So although His people come and go through death, the authority devolves on the next generation of those who make Him their Lord and King. Jesus told the 72 when they reported back to Him 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19 NLT After His resurrection and prior to His ascension he appeared to his disciples. It is recorded 18 Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:18-19 NLT. In this regard, nothing has changed since He walked among us 2000 years ago. He has delegated His authority to you and me. Whether or not we use it is up to us. Satan and his cohorts continue to try and usurp this authority. They will if they can. Whether or not they succeed is up to us. The Blood of Jesus provides us with all we need to win. If we don’t, there is only ourselves to blame.
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland


19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Luke 10:19 ESV



There’s never been a question about authority.
The Lord has given lots of it to folk like you and me.
The enemy can’t hurt us; no matter how he tries.
We stand on snakes and scorpions, regardless of their size.
There is nothing to it and we won’t come to harm.
So don’t get excited or raise a false alarm.
Of course we must be careful; he’s always on the prowl;
He wants us to be frightened and to throw in the towel.
A master of disguises, we hear a lion roar.
We think he wants to eat us. But he can do no more.
Than make a lot of noises. He’s little more than that.
When Jesus Christ is in you, he’s a toothless pussy-cat.
Show him some resistance and he will turn and flee;
When you’re in submission to the Christ of Calvary.
If you are a soldier and have to go to war,
To fight the devil’s forces and bust them on the jaw.
There’s a list of armour that you will surely need,
To stand against the devil and foil his evil creed.
This is not a contest, against some human foe,
You will need God’s armour, everywhere you go.
Wrestle with the rulers and the powers of the air.
They will not surprise you, if you constantly prepare.
Have God’s truth around you like a belt about your waist.
With His righteous breastplate, that army can be faced.
Don’t forget the sandals to wear upon your feet.
They will keep you moving and his forces can be beat.
Sandals of the good news. The gospel that brings peace.
Sharing it with others, will bring them their release.
Don’t neglect the shield of faith, to carry in your hand;
To quench the fiery arrows, preventing them to land,
Upon you or your brothers. The enemy you’ll foil,
And his plans for victory forever you will spoil.
Salvation is the helmet you wear upon your head.
If you are not wearing it you may as well be dead!
Praying in the Spirit is a weapon you can wield.
And there is another which makes the devil yield.
The Word of God is mighty. So use it as your sword.
You cannot be beaten while Jesus is your Lord.

Jim Strickland
Written 28th October 2012


8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NLT




7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 ESV




11 Put on all the armour that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. 12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. 13 For this reason, take up all the armour that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. 14 So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God's approval as your breastplate. 15 Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. 16 In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:11-16 GW




8 Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:8 NLT

OUR BE-ATTITUDE

Capernaum Miracle

Time with Jesus - 27 Oct 2013

Hi all,
The following has been taken from Wikipedia. It is so well written there’s little need for my comments.
Sermon on the Mount
Opinions vary as to exactly how many distinct statements into which the Beatitudes should be divided (ranging from eight to ten). Most scholars consider them to be only eight. These eight of Matthew follow a simple pattern: Jesus names a group of people normally thought to be unfortunate and pronounces them blessed.
Matthew
The eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12 during the Sermon on the Mount, each begins with:
Blessed are...
1.     ...the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:3)
2.     ...those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
3.     ...the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
4.     ...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)

5.     ...the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
6.     ...the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
7.     ...the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
8.     ...those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)

In Matt 5:11-12, the eight Beatitudes are followed by what is often viewed as a commentary - a further clarification of the eighth one, with specific application being made to the disciples. Instead of referencing third-person plural "they", Jesus changes to second-person "you"
Peter's Statue in Capernaum
1.     Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Beatitudes unique to Matthew are the meek, the merciful, the pure of heart, and the peacemakers. The other four have similar entries in Luke, but are followed almost immediately by "four woes".
Luke
The four Beatitudes in Luke 6:20–22 during the Sermon on the Plain. Verse 20 introduces them by saying, "Looking at his disciples, he said:" Then parallel to Matthew, each Beatitude begins with:
Blessed are you...
1.     …who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
2.     …who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
3.     …you who weep now, for you will laugh.

4.     …when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of man.
Verse 23 - "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets", seems parallel to the commentary in Matthew 5:11-12 which reads, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you".

The four woes that follow these in Luke 6:24–26 each begins with:
Woe to you...
1.     who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
2.     who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
3.     who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
4.     when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
The fourth "woe" in verse 26 appears to be much the same as the commentary in Matthew 5:11-12.
Artist's impression of Synagogue
These woes are distinct from the Seven Woes of the Pharisees that appear later in Luke 11:37-54.
Jesus and the word “Woe”: “Woe” is a terrible curse word and should never be used by Christians. Jesus declared “woe” over Korazin and Bethsaida and predicted the downfall of Capernaum. All three towns no longer exist. In Matthew’s gospels Jesus is on record as saying:
21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you." Mat 11:21-24 NIV. 

He had performed many of His miracles in these towns. However, it seems that there had been no repentance of sin in them. He states that if the same miracles had taken place in Tyre, Sidon or Sodom, their townsfolk would have responded and repented. Hence, on the Day of Judgement, their people would be judged less severely than Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. The Word of God always achieves the intended purpose. It’s interesting to note that Tiberius is one of the few towns around the Sea of Galilee area, from those days, remaining to this day.
Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland



Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus – Sunday, 27 October 2013
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
©
These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes
©
INTRODUCTION
DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
OUR BE-ATTITUDE
It was inevitable that Jesus Christ would draw the crowds. He had received a revelation from His Father that He is the Son of God. He was either crazy, a liar, or it was true. Take your pick. I made my decision sometime in the early 1950’s. For me, it is, was, and always will be the truth. In the early days of His ministry, He was followed by the crowds to the point where He often had to hide away. How do you hide when you have the reputation as the greatest walking miracle worker ever seen? If you can do so, please tell me!
Matthew 5 advises us that on one occasion, He was on a mountain-side talking with His disciples. As He did so, a great crowd gathered round Him. Then He began to speak. What the crowd was about to hear, is the greatest and most remarkable “sermon” ever given. ±2000 years later, it remains unsurpassed as the simplest and most beautiful lesson on the Kingdom of God, any person before or since has ever delivered. No man or woman, other than Jesus Christ Himself, has ever lived up to the impossible requirements of this sermon. Indeed, it is only “Him-possible” in and through His life in us.
He set the ball rolling with the beatitudes. If you boil them all down you find that there are eight of them. They might possibly be considered as the eight gold medals of our “Olympic Games” of life. Individually, it may be possible for us to achieve one or two of them. Even a dedicated and committed Christian might succeed and put four or five of them into practice in daily life. Most Christians look at them, shake their head and say, “Don’t bother; they are beyond the likes of you and me.”
I’ve heard it suggested that there are 8 because if we only succeed with one per day, a week will not be long enough for any of us. What we have to remember is that Jesus was not speaking about what you and I can achieve. Forget that. It’s a pipedream. But when we live in Him, as we are meant to, we find that they produce the most wonderful lifestyle possible.
One day, Christians will realise that none of us can live the Christian life. We aren’t supposed to do it anyway. The beatitudes should force us onto our knees to cry out to God for help. We can’t do it. If we could, we would have no need for Him. We could say that these beatitudes are God saying, “This is how I live. Match it if you can!” It’s a bit like the Old Testament Law. It was impossible for the Jews to keep. The beatitudes are a type of Christian equivalent. “Here is My lifestyle” says Jesus. Come to Me. Make Me your Lord and we will do it together.” This makes me tremble. Please Lord; empower me to live like that!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland

6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed."
Numbers 22:6 TNIV

We call them the beatitudes; the attitude to be,                      
When thinking of the Scripture; what it means for you and me!
We wish that we could find them, but they are very rare,
Very few are manifest of which we are aware.
Tell me where they’re hiding; they’re difficult to spot.
Life is very stressful, so most we haven’t got!
We aren’t poor in spirit if we are filled with pride.
Which means that from God’s Kingdom we run away and hide
Mourners will be comforted; that’s wonderful to know.
But mourning doesn’t happen, when we’re always on the go.
Meekness is a quality we seldom understand.
If we lose our temper, we’ll also lose the land.
Hungering and thirsting, in a quest for righteousness!
If we’d only do it, we won’t get in a mess.
But if we’re committed, to putting Jesus first,
We will never hunger and we will never thirst.
When we’re being merciful, we will not bear a grudge.
Or take a position, from which we will not budge
Jesus brought forgiveness and set the sinner free.
Having a pure heart is an impossibility,
For normal sinful people; the likes of me and you.
And though this sounds so logical it really isn’t true!
By the blood of Jesus, our hearts have been made pure!
We shall see the Master; that’s absolutely sure.
Are you a peacemaker? Is Christ your source of peace?
Take Him to your neighbours; and help them find release,
From their dreadful bondages, when He becomes their Lord.
We will all be sons of God when Jesus is adored!
Are you persecuted? Called a “righteous freak”?
Do you hear the comment, “Don’t listen to him speak.
He is just a hypocrite! So do not you waste your time.
He has no authority from Jesus Christ Divine!
Righteousness and heaven; what can he know of that?
Tell him that it sounds as if he’s talking through his hat.”
When they make such comments is when you should rejoice.
Shout out “Hallelujah” in your very loudest voice.
Jesus Christ has promised a reward for you on high.
Everlasting glory with His prophets in the sky.
Jim Strickland
Written 27 Oct 2012

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:3-12 ESV


27 As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, "God bless Your mother--the womb from which You came, and the breasts that nursed You!" 28 Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."
Luke 11:27-28 NLT


14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.
Revelation 22:14 NLT